World Nuclear Power Reactors & Uranium Requirements

1 March 2016

This table includes only those future reactors envisaged in specific plans and proposals and expected to be operating by 2030.

The World Nuclear Association country profiles linked to this table cover both areas: near-term developments and the prospective long-term role for nuclear power in national energy policies. They also provide more detail of what is tabulated here.

Operable = Connected to the grid.
Under Construction = first concrete for reactor poured, or major refurbishment under way.
Planned = Approvals, funding or major commitment in place, mostly expected in operation within 8-10 years.
Proposed = Specific programme or site proposals, expected operation mostly within 15 years.

New plants coming on line are largely balanced by old plants being retired. Over 1996-2013, 66 reactors were retired as 71 started operation. There are no firm projections for retirements over the period covered by this Table, but we estimate that at least 60 of those now operating will close by 2030, most being small plants. The 2015 Nuclear Fuel Report reference scenario (Table 2.4) has 132 reactors closing by 2035, and 287 new ones coming on line (figures include 28 Japanese reactors on line by 2035).

** The world total includes six reactors operating on Taiwan with a combined capacity of 4927 MWe, which generated a total of 40.8 billion kWh in 2014 (accounting for 18.9% of Taiwan's total electricity generation). Taiwan has two reactors under construction with a combined capacity of 2700 MWe. It was expected to require 783 tU in 2016.